Blue Jays welcome news of Vladimir Guerrero signing

The big bat the Blue Jays have desired the past few weeks turned out on Thursday to be Vladimir Guerrero.

Vladimir Guerrero spent last season with the Baltimore Orioles, hitting .290 with 13 home runs with 63 RBIs.

By:Mark ZwolinskiSports Reporter, Published on Thu May 10 2012

MINNEAPOLIS — Jose Bautista characterized his new teammate Vlad Guerrero as “just a real shy, humble guy from a small town in the Dominican Republic.”

The Blue Jays slugger praised Guerrero, not only as a potential Hall of Fame run producer and classy veteran, but as a gentle giant and friend to Dominican players. There was little doubt Thursday that Bautista is familiar with the 37-year-old, who the Jays signed to a minor-league contract Thursday.

Bautista believes the aging Guerrero will improve the Jays’ lineup. The big, free swinging right-handed batter has the potential to give the Jays an edge in the tough American League East.

“He has power off the bench ... which is something we are lacking,” Bautista said. “I think he’s a great addition to this or any other team in the league. I’m surprised it took as long as it did for someone to sign him.”

Bautista went on to describe Guerrero as a veteran who still has much to prove despite the fact his role shrunk from every day player two seasons ago in Texas to DH duty in Baltimore last year.

Guerrero did not see an inning as a position player with the O’s in 2011, but in 2010, he played 18 games in the outfield with Texas, and another 129 at DH.

“I think he will be a productive player, and I think he didn’t sign that contract just to play this season,” Bautista said. “I think he is looking at next year as well, I think he will want to prove himself. He will play with a chip on his shoulder, to play for next year and show everyone he can still play.”

The Jays and Guerrero’s management team had been speaking through spring training all the way up to the signing. In fact, Guerrero switched agents during the spring and is now represented by Bean Stringfellow, who also represents Bautista.

Once the news of the signing broke, speculation began about what role Guerrero will play with the team. Guerrero batted in the power spots in a deep Texas lineup two years ago and could certainly take up that position in the Jays order should he return to the form he showed with the Rangers in 2010 when he had 29 home run and 115 RBIs.

That would almost certainly provide so-called protection for Bautista who has not received that kind of protection this season in Toronto, which is fourth in runs scored but lacking production from several key members.

Manager John Farrell said the signing is not necessarily about protecting Bautista in the batting order.

“No ... as it relates to Jose, there’s been inconsistent load and timing in his swing, but there’s been signs on the road trip that when he addresses (those details), it’s what he’s capable of and not about who’s hitting behind him,” Farrell said.

“As long as individuals in our lineup perform up to their ability, we have a deep lineup, one to nine.”

When asked if the Guerrero signing is a sign the Jays are ratcheting up their challenge for a post-season berth, Farrell said winning was the club’s focus all along.

“I don’t think we have any other thoughts,” Farrell said. “We worked in the off season and built (the lineup) for that and after (31) games ... by no means are we a perfect team, but we are heading in the right direction.”

Bautista concurred, saying the signing is about making an already good team better and added Guerrero is in good health and very motivated to rejoin the big leagues. The Blue Jays clubhouse, which already has a close knit Latin group, could provide a perfect setting for Guerrero, who is said to be shy and reserved.

“He’s one of those guys who reaches out to Latin players,” Bautista said. “You can pick his brain, his answers are going to be short but you can use his information in a positive way. He’s always helped me and he’s not a Grinch where you can’t approach him ... he’s very approachable.”

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